Hit By A Car As A Pedestrian? 3 Things To Know
Posted on: 7 January 2019
Being hit by a car or other vehicle can be a traumatic experience. This type of accident can lead to serious injury, missed work, and have other major impacts on your day to day life. Dealing with the aftermath can also be expensive in terms of medical bills, physical therapy, and a lack of funds due to the time missed from your job. If you are in this situation, taking legal action may be your best option. If you are a pedestrian who was hit by a vehicle, here are three things that you should know.
1. Seeking Medical Treatment Immediately Is A Must
After being hit by a car, you may or may not notice your injuries immediately. Often in a situation like this, your adrenaline is pumping, and it can be difficult for you to discern if you are injured. The first thing that you should do is seek medical treatment immediately. Even if you feel that you are uninjured, a trip to the emergency room or a medical professional is an absolute must. Make sure that you also keep the documentation involved with any medical treatment that you receive.
2. Hiring An Attorney Can Help
Another thing that you should know after being hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian is that an attorney may be able to help. A pedestrian accident attorney can help determine whether or not legal action is appropriate. Typically, you will end up taking legal action against the driver of the vehicle that hit you. However, in some cases, legal action may also be recommended against the local government if there were other factors at play in the accident including misleading street signs or faulty lights. While some pedestrian accident attorneys charge hourly fees, many work on a contingency basis. The contingency fees range from 33 to 40% on average for these types of cases.
3. Statutes of Limitations Apply
With this type of case, it's important to note that there is a time limit for you to take legal action. This time limit is the statute of limitations, and it can vary from state to state. After being hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian, you will want to consult with a pedestrian accident attorney and take legal action as soon as possible. Typically you have somewhere between one and six years to take legal action for this type of case.
If you have been hit by a vehicle as a pedestrian, there are a few things that you should know. First, even if you don't think that you've been injured, seeking out medical treatment as soon as possible is a must. Hiring a pedestrian accident attorney is also something that you should strongly consider. Statutes of limitations likely apply, and the sooner you take legal action, the better.
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